On December 31, 1768, a tragic event took place that would never be
forgotten. On this day, nearly 250 years years ago, 25-year-old Ruth
Blay of South Hampton was hanged for allegedly killing her child, who
was later found to be stillborn. The crime was one of 600 that were
required to be punished with the death penalty. Though Ruth Blay was
sentenced on November 24, 1768, she was hanged on December 31 after many
fruitless reprieves. When the unfortunate day came and the fatal hour
tolled, high noon, the High Sheriff Thomas Packer, against the crying
protests of the crowd, slipped the noose neatly around the neck of Ruth
Blay, and the cart was drawn out from under her feet. Ruth Blay, who was
dressed in silks and satins, departed this world that day a bride to
death.

Though Ms. Blay's friends were reportedly hurrying to the scene with
another reprieve which would have later resulted in a pardon, the High
Sheriff, as the tale goes, did not want to be late for, his dinner. As a
result, only minutes after Ruth Blay was swinging, the air was filled
with the unmistakable sound of a horse's clattering feet, and the pardon
arrived for Ruth Blay, who by that time had joined a more peaceable
world than that of which she had departed. Many residents were so angry,
that on that night, and effigy was erected before the High Sheriff's
house, and beneath the hanging figure was a placard reading:

"Am I to lose my dinner
This woman for to hang?
Come draw away the cart, my boys-
Don't stop to say amen."

Ruth Blay's hanging was the last hanging of Portsmouth, though the death
penalty for such a crime was not lifted until 1792. She was buried in an
unmarked grave, which lies about 300 feet north of the pond in
Proprietors Burial Ground. ' Those who think that High Sheriff Thomas
Packer suffered for his crimes, he did not. He died in bed a wealthy man
at an old age. His body was interred at the North Union Cemetery, where
still he rests. Or does he?'